Readers' comments about Super PACs, unions in politics

Editor’s note: Here is a sampling of readers’ comments to our Monday guest editorial, “Some dangerous election practices,” which was about Super PACs’ and unions’ involvement in elections. The comments were posted on times-herald.com

— Super PACs are “Super Dangerous” to a democracy. An average citizen is unable to do what they do. A billionaire or a union can destroy a politician or an industry, like the steel industry in the 1960s. Let them join a candidate and speak with “one” voice and not many voices. U.S. Supreme Court was wrong and we, Americans, are correct in saying that we do not need Super PACs.

— This editorial is wrong. Federal labor law prohibits unions from using dues money for political purposes. All union PAC money has to come from individual member donations. For example, I give $100 a month to ALPA PAC.

— Super PACs aren’t all that bad ... it allows people who don’t have millions to band together and spend their money on not just candidates but causes as well. Sure millionaires are going to donate tons of money, but they already had that political influence.

— This editorial is about creating a political climate that will favor corporation friendly legislation. While pointing to the danger of unions, it neglects to point to the newer and very real danger of privatized government in which corporations get their profits from taxpayer dollars. If crony capitalism is successful using cash supplied by taxpayers through mandatory taxation to essentially buy off the politicians and privatize government, the upward pressure on public spending will explode. And the quality of services will decline.

— Campaign finance reform is what gave rise to the PAC as a way to shovel money into a campaign. Deregulate it, and just require full disclosure. We all know our candidates are bought and paid for. Let’s just make it easy to see by whom.

— Businesses created unions through employment abuses. Businesses and politicians have created crony capitalism. Privatizing government is the new “gold rush.” Only the public unions stand in the way of future Teapot Dome scandals as the vast majority of politicians have already sold themselves.